Saturday, 18 January 2014

Wake up and protect the wildlife...

Would
you be surprised if I told you there was an area very near Corby, home to 85
protected and notable species?

It
has great crested newts, badgers, bats, red kite and grass snakes - all species
protected by law.

Not
only that, there's a white stag and his herd.In some cultures, white stags are considered lucky, and people travel
from miles around in the hope of getting a glimpse of them.It's considered very unlucky to harm them
too.

There
are numerous ponds, some containing the aforementioned great crested newts, as
well as smooth newts, fish, frogs and aquatic insects.

It's
composed of a large area of trees, with species including significant stands of
broadleaved varieties - oak, hazel, sycamore, poplar and elder - and coniferous
trees including Scots pine, Corsican pine, European larch and Norway spruce.

Between
the rows of conifers, there are more oak trees, and ash, birch and beech.Lots of varied grasses and other plants also.

You
wouldn't be surprised to hear it's a designated Local Wildlife Site, would you,
given I've listed all of the above.

But
you would perhaps be surprised to discover that the area I'm talking about is
Brookfield Plantation, the same area that is under threat from plans to build a
'resource recovery park'.

Approximately
50 hectares of trees - including some oak - will be destroyed if this scheme
gets planning permission.

Most of the
information I've listed above is taken from the new documents the developer's agent
has submitted to Corby Borough Council.

The
same information that local people opposed to the scheme were told wouldn't be
available on-line, but could be seen either in person at the Council offices
during office hours by appointment or could be bought from the developer's
agent for £10.

Public
pressure and the intervention of Councillor Rob McKellar saw Norman Stronach,
Chief Executive of Corby Borough Council, overturn this decision, and also
extend the deadline for objections.

So,
people of Corby and the surrounding villages, now it's your turn.

Please
take the time to read the documents - now freely available on the council's
website www.corby.gov.uk/planningonline - and let Corby Borough Council know
your objections by 21st February.

Unless,
that is, you're happy to lose trees in this Local Wildlife Site and have them
replaced by concrete...